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Wellness Activities & Health Screening

Listed below are the activities and events at Annual Conference sponsored by the Wellness Committee of the Conference Board of Pensions.

Wellness Screening: Open to all clergy and spouses. This includes all local pastors, part-time pastors, commissioned, probationary, extension and retired clergy, elders, deacons, and ministry candidates even if you aren’t on the conference insurance. Saturday (6/9) 6 am-8:30 am and Monday (6/11) 5:30 am- 8:00 am in the lower level of HyVee Hall.

Included is: a blood-pressure measurement, a self-serve weight measurement, and the following lab tests; glucose, cholesterol (LDL, HDL, & triglycerides), calcium, thyroid, BUN (blood urea nitrogen), and creatinine. Men also have blood drawn for a prostate serum antigen. Pre-registration is encouraged. In order for the cholesterol levels to be accurate, you should not eat or drink food or beverages 10-12 hours before your testing time. Take your normal morning medications with water. Registrations due May 25, 2018

Download the fillable PDF registration form. Save the registration form and attach it to an email. Send the email to bktritle@msn.com.

Download and print the registration form word document. Fill it out and mail it to Kae Tritle:
3011 Pinecrest Rd., Iowa City, IA 52245

Mammogram screening: Open to all female clergy & spouses on Monday, June 11, 8 am-4 pm. You must have an appointment. Call Iowa Radiology at 515-226-9810. American Cancer Society guidelines apply; over 40 years old, no lumps or problems, and your last one was before January 1, 2018. You will need your insurance information and co-pays may apply. Deadline to call Iowa Radiology is May 22. Location: Stoddard Cancer Center at Iowa Methodist Medical Center.

Bishop’s Fitness Walk: Sunday June 10, 6:00 am to 8:00 am. Join us on a 5K walk/run to raise monies for The Bishop’s Fit Challenge. The route will be on the PrincipalRiverwalk Trail along the Des Moines River in downtown Des Moines. Registration fee is $15. REGISTER ONLINE. Contact Kae Tritle at bktritle@msn.com for more information.

Pedometer Walking Program: Increase your daily physical activity by walking. Clergy and spouses enrolled in the General Board of Pensions can sign up for the Virgin HealthMiles “go-zone” pedometer

Board of Pensions and Conference Benefits Office Informational displays: Located in the lobby across from the Treasurer’s area in HyVee Hall. Information is available regarding Self-Care Strategies, walking, and other benefits included with your health insurance. Open Saturday through Monday to all Annual Conference members.

I invite you to participate in the above activities as you are led and are able. Please take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and relationally in the midst of our ministry celebration called Annual Conference.

Kae Tritle, Wellness Coordinator is looking for persons with experience as medical/lab technicians, paramedics, nurses, respiratory therapists, and doctors. If you are attending Annual Conference as a member or an observer, please consider assisting with this valuable service.

Times: Saturday, June 9 from 6 am to 8:30 amand Monday, June 11, from 5:30 am to 8:00 am at Hy-Vee Hall, lower level, in Des Moines. Two persons are needed for each day.

Contact: Kae Tritle: bktritle@ msn.com or 515-205-8899

Persons to help with the Bishop’s Fitwalk: Sunday, June 10 from 5:30 am to 8:00 am. Water station at mid-way point of walk, on-site registration, & placement of signage.

3. Room 303 | Fresh Expression: Elad Shapira, Pastor of Community UMC Where are the people? They aren’t in our churches. If this sounds like you or your pastor, then you need a fresh expression of your church to reach the people where they are. There will be a time of teaching but also a time of practicing so that we can all get a handle on what it means to spread the gospel afresh.

5. Room 305 | Our Churches Talking About Mental Health: Rev. Lee SchottWe will practice telling our stories about how mental health has affected us and our churches. We'll practice listening to one another with care and respect. We'll notice how our experiences intersect with policy questions that are being discussed right now in Iowa and beyond. The conversations we have in small circles—an informal kind of "peace circle"—will prepare participants to lead similar conversations in our local churches, and to create a culture of welcome for persons and their families who are living through mental health challenges. Limited to 40 participants.

6. Room 306 | The Church's Role in the Mental Health Condition of the State: Erica Shannon StueveThis workshop will begin with a brief primer on mental health challenges and successes in the state, as well as information on legislation passed in 2018. The majority of the time will be spent with a panel of mental health clinicians sharing practical ways churches can make a difference in the mental health needs of their community. The workshop will conclude with an opportunity to ask the panel questions from your congregation. No participant limitation.

Resources and Additional Information: Resources shared from the clinician panel and on how to lead a welcoming conversation in your church will be available at both workshops, as well as online.

District training and educational events are being scheduled for late summer into the fall on mental health. Details coming shortly - please share with others in your church and community. Thank you for you interest in this important ministry of the United Methodist Church!

Justice For Our Neighbors

7. Room 319 | Immigration 101: Ann Naffier, IJFON Immigration Attorney
This presentation is intended as an educational resource. It is for general information purposes only—nothing should be construed as legal advice. We will share information about how people can immigrate to the US. What are the different categories of visas available and how long it takes to do the process? What is the difference between refugee and asylum seekers? What is a "lottery" visa"? What is a "U" visa? What is DACA and TPS?

Presenters are North Central Jurisdiction Mission Advocates, Steve and Gail Quigg, and Iowa In Mission Together Advocate, Judy Marnin. Q & A will be encouraged about changes from Rainbow Covenant reporting at end of 2018 to new program in 2019, In Mission Together.